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A Tourist Trap Mystery #5.5
Santa Puppy
’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .
Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.
Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .
Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.
Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .
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First published November 6, 2018
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About the author
Lynn Cahoon
105 books2,370 followersNYT and USA Today bestselling author, Lynn Cahoon, writes the Tourist Trap, Cat Latimer, Farm-to-Fork, Kitchen Witch, Survivors' Book Club, the Haunted Life, and the Bainbridge Island cozy mystery series. No matter where the mystery is set, readers can expect a fun ride Sign up for her newsletter at www.lynncahoon.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
April 12, 2025
A fun in-between mini-novella from Lynn Cahoon in the Tourist Trap Mysteries, Santa Puppy delights readers with Christmas tales focused on a little puppy. A dead man turns up on the beach, and everyone thinks it's natural causes. Jill knows better, or believes she does, so she checks out what happened to his rescue dog. After finding a clue, she discovers the truth. A great way to meet some characters and have a holiday treat.
October 22, 2018
One of my favorite amateur sleuths is back. Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More, finds herself in the middle of another mystery. She is hosting a local adopt-a-pet function and her heart is breaking for Baby, a male terrier whose owner recently died.
Baby’s owner was a homeless man. Jill is sure there is more to his story than they know about. She vows to find out what happened to the man and to make sure Baby has a new “forever home”. Little did she know, she’d be delving into the past and uncovering some surprising things.
Yay! A new entry into the “A Tourist Trap Mystery Series”. I love this series so much and this is another wonderful addition to it. Santa Puppy is a novella and a fast read.
This book tore my heart apart. Lynn Cahoon, once again, gives her readers an amazing story in a small package. Although it’s a short read, it’s not short on emotion. I found myself crying at the end. This is a quick read for the holidays. It’s a true “feel good” read and perfect for this time of year. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. Since the book brought me to tears, I can’t help but give it five stars.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Baby’s owner was a homeless man. Jill is sure there is more to his story than they know about. She vows to find out what happened to the man and to make sure Baby has a new “forever home”. Little did she know, she’d be delving into the past and uncovering some surprising things.
Yay! A new entry into the “A Tourist Trap Mystery Series”. I love this series so much and this is another wonderful addition to it. Santa Puppy is a novella and a fast read.
This book tore my heart apart. Lynn Cahoon, once again, gives her readers an amazing story in a small package. Although it’s a short read, it’s not short on emotion. I found myself crying at the end. This is a quick read for the holidays. It’s a true “feel good” read and perfect for this time of year. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. Since the book brought me to tears, I can’t help but give it five stars.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 7, 2018
This wonderful Christmastime novella will put you in good spirits for the holidays! Jill and the South Cove gang are volunteering at an animal shelter helping groom dogs and cats for an upcoming adoption event. An older terrier mix, Baby, catches Jill’s eyes, and his background is tied to a recent death, and the heartfelt story of his owner’s past. A happy ending is the gift Cozy Mystery Readers receive at the story’s end. Cookie recipe included.
April 11, 2020
A nice holiday visit to Jill and the her friends and family in South Cove. The mystery is slight, but the story is enjoyable.
November 6, 2018
This is a cute, heart-warming Christmas novella with characters I have grown to know and love. It is Christmas time in South Cove California and Jill Gardner is planning to host an adopt-a-pet event at the bookstore. As she is meeting the animals that are being featured, she learns about the death of a homeless man and his small dog left behind. When Jill finds a key hidden in the dog's collar, they find a journal and money left to his childhood sweetheart. This piques Jill's interest and she sets out to find his sweetheart. This is a quick story, but it has a wonderful Christmas message, as well as interesting information about Veterans and their hardships. There is a bit of magic, and a couple of twists that will surprise the reader. I highly recommend this addition to The Tourist Trap Mystery series, whether you have read any of the other books or not. It is a sweet Christmas Novella. The publisher, Kensington Publishers, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
November 13, 2018
Oh my gosh did I ever enjoy Santa Puppy. It was not at all what I expected! So much better! This Christmas themed novella is the perfect holiday read. Short, sweet and really well written. The story will tug a bit at your heartstrings but in a really good way. I love this series and it was easy to picture the entire setting, the characters and even taste the cookies! I am totally using the recipe at the end of this story too!
December 13, 2018
A good, easy read with heartwarming family/friend moments. It was bittersweet but with a very sweet ending. And it's really gotten me impatient and excited to decorate our tree when I get home in a couple of days!
December 8, 2018
This is a terrific holiday novella that hits all the right Christmas notes. I enjoy these peaks into the lives of the residents of South Cove.
September 10, 2018
Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon is a sweet little Christmas time mystery set in Ms. Cahoon's Tourist Trap world.
Jill and her family and friends are putting on an adoption party for a local animal shelter to help place senior dogs and cats. There's one sweet little dog who captures Jill's heart as his master recently passed away from a heart attack and he has no living family. Jill does fina a clue and then Greg provides a few more clues which spurs Jill on to find out what she can about the man. This is a novella that kept me turning the pages and I breathed a happy sigh and a few tears at the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Jill and her family and friends are putting on an adoption party for a local animal shelter to help place senior dogs and cats. There's one sweet little dog who captures Jill's heart as his master recently passed away from a heart attack and he has no living family. Jill does fina a clue and then Greg provides a few more clues which spurs Jill on to find out what she can about the man. This is a novella that kept me turning the pages and I breathed a happy sigh and a few tears at the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
November 7, 2018
In this short novella Jill is happy to be helping out a local shelter with a Christmas adopt a pet party. Her boyfriend, aunt, and a few other people have agreed to help with the washing and grooming of animals to get them ready for the party. While at the shelter she is introduced to a dog named Baby whose owner recently died from a heart attack. When Jill learns about the dead mans situation she wants to help find out more about his life and if she can find Baby a forever home. She takes the clues she is given and searches for the answers that she seeks. Can she bring herself some piece of mind and come out with a happy ending for the dead man or will the clues she has not lead anywhere? Follow Jill as she does everything she can in hopes of finding a positive outcome.
October 16, 2018
It is Christmas time in South Cove California and Jill Gardner is planning to host an adopt-a-pet at the bookstore. Jill learns of a death of a homeless veteran and he had a small dog who stay with him.. Jill becomes interested in his story and tried to find his sweetheart. Her parents moved her away when he was overseas and there is no trace of where. There is a small amount of paranormal and a couple of twists that will delight and distress you. I highly recommend this book for a relaxing Christmas novella.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The expressed are my own.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The expressed are my own.
November 12, 2018
Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon is novella number 9.75 in A Tourist Trap series. Jill Gardner who owns Coffee, Books, and More has agreed to host Christmas Adopt-a-pet party. Jill takes on another mystery, finding information about the human of a terrier dog names Baby, who's owner died of a heart attack. I enjoyed this short book, but I prefer this author's full size novels. I recommend this novella for a quick, fun Christmas story.
I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
November 15, 2018
This is my first ever read from Lynn Cahoon. I wanted to try this series because I liked the sound of the concept but another thing that drew me to this novella was the fact that it was also holiday themed.
SANTA PUPPY is book 9.75 in the Tourist Trap mystery series and you definitely don’t need to read the others to enjoy this one. I really like Cahoon’s writing style. It’s quite simple and easy to read, so I think that helped me in jumping into this series in the middle of it.
I really like the dog aspect to this story. It added a lot more cuteness to an already sweet read. Jill was a great character and I’m sure that I will enjoy her even more when I read the other books in the series. But I thought that the author did a good job of creating an engaging story despite the very short word count. I look forward to reading more of Lynn Cahoon.
September 6, 2018
Santa Puppy is just the right holiday story I like.
When a homeless man is found in the beach, dead of a heart attack, Jill Gardner wonders who he is.
Santa Puppy touches on the kindness of people, heart ache and of course, Christmas.
This is a delightful, fast paced story that is read in under two hours.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
When a homeless man is found in the beach, dead of a heart attack, Jill Gardner wonders who he is.
Santa Puppy touches on the kindness of people, heart ache and of course, Christmas.
This is a delightful, fast paced story that is read in under two hours.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
November 20, 2018
Santa Puppy
A Tourist Trap Mystery, Book #9.75
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars
Synopsis:
’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .
Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.
Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
This is a great novella and perfect for a quick Christmas read. I enjoyed getting to spend more time with Jill, her family and friends. Jill is so kind and caring and has a really big heart. I enjoy reading about her interactions with the other characters, including the animals.
Although someone does die, I found the fact the Jill did not discover a dead body refreshing. There is a mystery to solve, but it was not who the killer was. I enjoyed this change of pace. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she brought South Cove, California, alive in my mind. The writing style flows smoothly and this novella is a quick easy read.
I would recommend this novella, and whole series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. There is a message of caring and sharing, and helping others, that we can all be reminded of. If you are looking for a quick Christmas read, pick this book up.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Tourist Trap Mystery, Book #9.75
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars
Synopsis:
’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .
Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.
Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
This is a great novella and perfect for a quick Christmas read. I enjoyed getting to spend more time with Jill, her family and friends. Jill is so kind and caring and has a really big heart. I enjoy reading about her interactions with the other characters, including the animals.
Although someone does die, I found the fact the Jill did not discover a dead body refreshing. There is a mystery to solve, but it was not who the killer was. I enjoyed this change of pace. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she brought South Cove, California, alive in my mind. The writing style flows smoothly and this novella is a quick easy read.
I would recommend this novella, and whole series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. There is a message of caring and sharing, and helping others, that we can all be reminded of. If you are looking for a quick Christmas read, pick this book up.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
December 10, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
If you're looking for a cute cozy mystery to read in the lead up to Christmas, then this book might be the one! It's only a quick read at 130 pages, but somehow plenty was packed into that short amount and I felt like I not only enjoyed what I got, but that I wanted to read more of this series and discover more about the characters. Any character that reads is a plus with me, and add in animals and recue and I was completely sold.
A really cute cozy with a Christmas/Book theme. Five stars.
If you're looking for a cute cozy mystery to read in the lead up to Christmas, then this book might be the one! It's only a quick read at 130 pages, but somehow plenty was packed into that short amount and I felt like I not only enjoyed what I got, but that I wanted to read more of this series and discover more about the characters. Any character that reads is a plus with me, and add in animals and recue and I was completely sold.
A really cute cozy with a Christmas/Book theme. Five stars.
December 24, 2018
Ottimo racconto letto la vigilia di Natale.
December 18, 2018
Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon is a Tourist Trap Novella. Jill Gardner of Coffee, Books and More will be hosting a pet adoption event next Saturday at the store to help some adorable animals find forever before Christmas. In anticipation of the event, Jill along with Greg King and her friends are at the Bakerstown shelter to wash the dogs. Jill meets Baby, a ten year old terrier who arrived at the shelter after his owner was found dead on the beach the previous week. Jill takes off his collar and a safety deposit key falls out. Greg King, a South Cove police detective, obtains the items from the box hoping it will provide them with the deceased identity. The contents of the safety deposit box provide Jill with a mystery to wrap up before Christmas.
Santa Puppy is a cute and uplifting cozy mystery. There is an adorable dog that misses its owner and a deceased human that the police have been unable to identify. All our favorites characters from A Tourist Trap series are back in this Christmas novella (120 pages). I found Santa Puppy to be well-written and it moves along at a fast clip. I would suggest reading one of the full length novels in A Tourist Trap Mystery series prior to reading Santa Puppy. The story has a good moral plus it highlights the plight of our veterans. There is a hint of Christmas magic at play in this engaging Christmas story (I do not want to spoil it for you). Santa Puppy is a heartwarming Christmas cozy with a sweet ending.
Santa Puppy is a cute and uplifting cozy mystery. There is an adorable dog that misses its owner and a deceased human that the police have been unable to identify. All our favorites characters from A Tourist Trap series are back in this Christmas novella (120 pages). I found Santa Puppy to be well-written and it moves along at a fast clip. I would suggest reading one of the full length novels in A Tourist Trap Mystery series prior to reading Santa Puppy. The story has a good moral plus it highlights the plight of our veterans. There is a hint of Christmas magic at play in this engaging Christmas story (I do not want to spoil it for you). Santa Puppy is a heartwarming Christmas cozy with a sweet ending.
March 13, 2019
A Christmas Novel featuring Tourist Trap characters.
Fundraising for the local no-kill animal shelter and finding homes for older pets has Jill busy as Christmas approaches. The death of his owner has one elder dog, Baby, hiding a mystery in his collar in the form of a key.
Plot twists made this a good read.
Fundraising for the local no-kill animal shelter and finding homes for older pets has Jill busy as Christmas approaches. The death of his owner has one elder dog, Baby, hiding a mystery in his collar in the form of a key.
Plot twists made this a good read.
December 27, 2018
his novella fits the bill if seeking a heartwarming Christmas story. Jill Gardner hopes many dogs will receive forever homes at the adoption event at her store. A dog found next to his owner's body on the beach wears a collar with a safe deposit key. The police believe the key will lead to the owner's identity and next of kin. The novella takes place near Christmas, and the Christmas tree lot is busy with Jill, the police, and others purchasing holiday trees. I don't want to divulge too much of the plot. I have not read others in this series, but this makes a light cozy holiday story.
June 28, 2020
Heartwarming!
February 26, 2022
Lovely short story as part of the Tourist Trap Mysteries series. I definitely read it out of order, but really liked it. It has a nice holiday feel, and while I've classified it as a "cozy mystery" there really isn't a murder!
February 20, 2023
Awww..such a cute Christmas novella.
December 15, 2025
Sweet Christmas story
This was a fun little Christmas story. I always enjoy the characters and whatever community event they’ve got going on. Not much of a mystery in this one but it’s a cute story.
This was a fun little Christmas story. I always enjoy the characters and whatever community event they’ve got going on. Not much of a mystery in this one but it’s a cute story.
December 23, 2024
This was a delightful Christmas novella involving the characters in the Tourist Trap Series. Although there is a mystery, it’s more of a romantic mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. It also had a happy ending worthy of a Christmas story.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration.
September 18, 2018
Santa Puppy is a short and sweet addition to the Tourist Trap series. It is Christmas in South Cove and to help others, Coffee, Books, and More is hosting a party for the local animal shelter. Senior dogs and cats are going to be at the shop for customers to go and visit with and hopefully, adopt. The Saturday prior to the event, Jill, Greg, Aunt Jackie, Harrold, Amy and Justin go to the shelter and wash thirty dogs to get them prepped for the event. One of the dogs is a terrier whose owner, Thomas, was recently found dead of natural causes. While Jill is bathing Baby, his collar falls apart revealing a small key to a safe deposit box. Greg takes the key and discovers a journal, letter and fifty eight thousand dollars saved to purchase a dream home for him and his high school sweetheart Lizzie. The two went to Bakerstown High but he joined the Army after graduation. While he was away, her parents moved away to Oregon to separate the two. He never found her again but he never forgot her. Jill has Greg's blessings (this time) to find out as much as she can about his story. While Thomas' story was sad, all ends well and in a surprising way. As all books in the series, expect some yummy desserts, this time in the form of a cookie exchange, including a recipe. Jill gets a real tree this year and so does Greg for the station and conference room where the exchange is held. This is a fun Christmas story with the theme of helping others.
I received a complimentary ARC from Lyrical Press and Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.
I received a complimentary ARC from Lyrical Press and Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.
October 7, 2021
A Tourist Trap Mystery novella.
I say it enough times…I love the Tourist Trap Mysteries!
Well plotted and written, with a great set of characters.
’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .
Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.
Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .
I cheated a little bit, as I listen to my 2 discs audio copy of the book. Narrated as per usual by Susan Boyce.
The Tourist Trap Mysteries are always well worth reading/listening.
I was given this free review copy from Lyrical Press via Netgalley at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
https://finalchapterreadersgroup.word...
I say it enough times…I love the Tourist Trap Mysteries!
Well plotted and written, with a great set of characters.
’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .
Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.
Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .
I cheated a little bit, as I listen to my 2 discs audio copy of the book. Narrated as per usual by Susan Boyce.
The Tourist Trap Mysteries are always well worth reading/listening.
I was given this free review copy from Lyrical Press via Netgalley at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
https://finalchapterreadersgroup.word...
November 5, 2021
What a pleasure this little short story was! I am a big fan of the Tourist Trap series. I decided to go back and read this since I missed it earlier, focusing on the longer books. There’s no murder mystery in this one but there’s a mystery nonetheless. The ending is heartwarming and a little bitter sweet also. It’s a great way to get into the Christmas spirit of love, kindness and giving.
November 13, 2018
A touch of sad, a ton of sweet= Just right
Santa Puppy is wonderful holiday read for year round. I didn't think I could get into the Christmas spirit this year but Lynn Cahoon and a couple of other wonderful authors proved me wrong. My visit to South Cove was just what I needed.
Santa Puppy is wonderful holiday read for year round. I didn't think I could get into the Christmas spirit this year but Lynn Cahoon and a couple of other wonderful authors proved me wrong. My visit to South Cove was just what I needed.
October 27, 2018
Santa Puppy is the latest installment in Lynn Cahoon’s Tourist Trap Mysteries. This novella is a quick and easy read that can easily be read as a standalone. Ms. Cahoon’s writing style flows smoothly at a steady pace in this well-written story, with well-developed and affable characters.
Jill Gardner owns Coffee, Books, and More in the quaint small town of South Cove, California. She’s hosting an adopt-a-pet event and she and her boyfriend, Detective Greg King, join her best friend, Amy, and her boyfriend, Justin, her aunt, Jackie, and her boyfriend, Harrold, to help groom and dogs for the event. While at Bakerstown Shelter, a sweet ten-year-old male terrier named Baby catches Jill’s eyes. She learns Baby’s owner was a homeless man who recently passed away from a heart attack on the beach and her heart is breaking for Baby. When Jill takes Baby’s collar off, she finds a key and asks Greg to try to find out what it goes to. Greg learns the homeless man’s name was Thomas Raleigh and that he left a journal, plus a letter and lots of money for a woman named Lizzy, the love of his life. After reading the letter and journal, Jill’s determined to find out what happened to him and to make sure Baby has a new “forever home,” even if it’s with her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Jill Gardner owns Coffee, Books, and More in the quaint small town of South Cove, California. She’s hosting an adopt-a-pet event and she and her boyfriend, Detective Greg King, join her best friend, Amy, and her boyfriend, Justin, her aunt, Jackie, and her boyfriend, Harrold, to help groom and dogs for the event. While at Bakerstown Shelter, a sweet ten-year-old male terrier named Baby catches Jill’s eyes. She learns Baby’s owner was a homeless man who recently passed away from a heart attack on the beach and her heart is breaking for Baby. When Jill takes Baby’s collar off, she finds a key and asks Greg to try to find out what it goes to. Greg learns the homeless man’s name was Thomas Raleigh and that he left a journal, plus a letter and lots of money for a woman named Lizzy, the love of his life. After reading the letter and journal, Jill’s determined to find out what happened to him and to make sure Baby has a new “forever home,” even if it’s with her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews